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In June of 2003, Garry and Alex Fletcher on a trip aboard the SAMBA were able to get some close up views of the Galapagos sea lion called Zalophus wollebaeki. These marine mammals are considerably smaller than their North Pacific equivalent, and are easily approached in their breeding colonies on the beaches of several of the Galapagos islands |
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| The Galapagos Sea lion is a much smaller version of its northern relative, the California sea lion, Zalophus californianus californianus that frequent Race Rocks |
This is named Zalophus californianus wollebaeki ,and some say it is justified in being called a separate species Zalophus wollebaeki |
A solitary male guards the perimeter of his harem |
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| The Galapagos sea lion has evolved on shorelines of these islands which have not had any terrestrial based predators. |
Today they are oblivious to the many tourists who visit their haulouts and rookeries. |
Nursing sea lion pups frequent the fine sand beaches |
These sea lions are found on almost all the islands throughout the Galapagos archipelago . |
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| Strange smell? |
Long vibrissae help in sensing underwater prey. |
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| Moonlight on the colony |
The "sea lion trees of a mangrove swamp. An unusual haulout, but the jagged lava surrounding this lagoon deter r&r. |
Smooth lava shorelines indicate years of wear as haulout site. |
No interest in photographers |
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